Election on menu at Liberal convention

OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau wound up a three-day Liberal convention Saturday with a partisan speech that sounded much like the launch of an election campaign.

While the prime minister has insisted he has no interest in plunging the country into an election in the midst of the deadly third wave of COVID-19, his speech was aimed at positioning the governing Liberals as the only party with “real solutions to the real problems” facing Canadians.

 

 

 

Victory at Vimy

Located in northern France, Vimy ridge was a crucial position that needed to be taken. From the ridge the German army had a commanding view over allied positions from which they could direct artillery barrages.  

After previous allied attempts failed to take the ridge, the Canadian Corps was tasked with this important mission. 

On Apr.9, 1917 all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force — including Edmonton’s own 49th Battalion —  came together in an assault on Vimy Ridge.

On Apr.12, 1917 after four long brutal days of fighting, Vimy ridge was in Canadian hands. 

This important victory, earned Canadian soldiers a reputation as formidable and effective soldiers. 

This also marked the first time that all four Canadian divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force would fight together as one unit composed of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This was a defining moment in Canadian history and helped forge our nation.

Yet, this victory came at a huge cost, 3,598 Canadians lost their lives and 7,000 were wounded during the battle. Overall, more than 60,000 Canadians were killed during the First World War and 172,000 were wounded. It stands as the bloodiest conflict for Canada in Canadian history.

Lest we forget.

 

 

 

We will not allow China to silence us

By MICHAEL CHONG MP
Globe and Mail

China is trying to silence the truth abroad, after having silenced it at home.

Just over two weeks ago, I woke up to news that China’s government had sanctioned me, adding me to a list of officials in the United States, Britain and Europe who have been sanctioned for simply speaking. Speaking against Beijing’s genocide of its Uyghur Muslim minority. Speaking against its crackdown on Hong Kong.

The sanction bans me from visiting China, and prohibits Chinese citizens and institutions from doing business with me. I have no travel plans or business in China, so the sanctions will have no effect on me. Nevertheless, they should be taken seriously as an attempt to silence the growing criticism of the Chinese government’s human rights record and violations of international law.

Since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has become increasingly assertive in shutting down criticism. Increasing threats have accompanied this shift.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have now been detained for more than two years. Robert Schellenberg is on death row. The fate and whereabouts of Huseyin Celil remain unknown. China’s government has arbitrarily banned imports that targeted Canadian pork, beef and canola farmers. But Canada is not the only target of China’s government.

From its growing intimidation of Taiwan to its recent border skirmishes with India and the unilateral extension of its boundaries in the South China Sea, China’s leadership is increasingly threatening its neighbours.

It is not only abroad where China’s government is challenging the rules-based international order. In its crackdown on Hong Kong, it is violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration – an international treaty guaranteeing Hong Kong’s autonomy for 50 years. In the mass detention and sterilization of Uyghurs, it is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention – the first human rights treaty adopted at the United Nations. The abuse of other minorities continues, with its treatment of Christians, Falun Gong practitioners and long-suffering Tibetans.

We must wake up to the reality that in recent years, instead of improving their record on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, authoritarian governments have used their new-found prosperity to reinforce their authoritarianism.

(Read the full article by Michael Chong at the link below)

 

 

 

Conservatives demand public inquiry into the government’s pandemic response

 The Liberal government’s slow and incompetent pandemic response means Canada has entered a third COVID-19 wave. A public inquiry will make sure this never happens again.

Remembering the life of Prince Philip

Sad to hear of the passing of a friend and legendary journalist 

I’m saddened to hear about the death of my friend, legendary correspondent Matthew Fisher. 

He and I got to know each other well when we were on a journalism assignment aboard the QE2 with hundreds of Second World War veterans returning to the shores of Normandy to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. 

We last talked in the fall when I’d agreed to write an endorsement for him in his quest to be a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada. Sadly, they just don’t make journalists like Matthew anymore — and I’ve seldom met a guy with such a wealth of fascinating stories. RIP, my friend.

 

 

In the news

• • • Trudeau government threatens Halifax Security Forum over proposed Taiwan award. Link
    • The facts in the WE scandal are clear. It’s not complicated. Link
    • New Democrats reconvene as hiccups, frustrations plague national policy convention. Link
    • Universal basic income would cost over $85 billion per year: PBO. Link
    • Liberals shut down probe into sexual misconduct in Canadian military. Link
    • Nonprofit involved with 1,400 California schools being investigated by Canadian parliamentary committee. Link
    • Justin Trudeau’s guinea pigs respond not so kindly. Link
    • Feds’ anti-racism training deals with political agendas, nothing else. Link
    • Half of Canadians believe journalists mislead the public: poll. Link
    • Who wants to abolish billionaires? A look at the federal NDP’s convention resolutions. Link
    • CBC spends $900,000 on five person “strategic intelligence” department. Link
    • Canadians conquered Vimy Ridge. We can win the battle against COVID, too. Link

 

You said it

• “I don’t think we should be sending a team to China for the Olympics, with all that they are doing.” —  Barry N. 
• “So can someone verify this for me; Apparently the NDP wants to disband the Canadian Armed Forces if they win the next election?” —  Darren P.
  
  
• “Other Priorities: Do more to unify the polarizing political spectrum.” —  Bonnie D.

 

Have your say

Canada continues to lag behind scores of other developed countries in vaccine procurement. As of Apr.12, Bloomberg News has our vaccines per population rate at 47th in the world.

Do you think Justin Trudeau and this Liberal government has botched Canada’s vaccine procurement? 

Have your say in my unofficial poll.

I’ll publish the results in next weeks e-newsletter. 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest news on COVID-19 

 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Health Services can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Benefits available for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family during this COVID pandemic. 

 

 

 

 

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I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note to my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Call or e-mail us and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6